To support community wellness in South Pacific County through active collaborations

In May Youth Action Klub (YAK) gave presentations to Ilwaco City Council and Hilltop PTO in an effort to increase awareness on two current drug trends affecting youth: marijuana and vaping.

First, the Marijuana & Vaping presentation informed on current marijuana laws, for adults and minors, as well as misconceptions and myths about use. Second, the presentation informed on basics of e-cigarette use (also called vaping), its appeal to youth, and possible health risks. The presentation was first given to Ilwaco High School and Hilltop staff as a co-presentation with the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office.

In their logical model, YAK students identified a low understanding of the law by adults and youth as a risk factor for local students. As laws and products are quickly evolving, YAK students recognized that most people did not have a baseline knowledge on these drugs.

An example of this is knowing what e-cigarettes may look like. YAK included images of different types of e-cigarettes and vaping pens, which can vary greatly in size and shape. Appearance can be influenced by function, such as battery type and cartridges (disposable or refillable).

In addition to increasing awareness, YAK has worked to improve supports for youth. To help students better regulate stress, YAK has advocated for a Safe Space Room at Ilwaco High School. A space has been designated and will be ready in the fall.

Much appreciation to our YAK students for their outstanding work. Thank you to Eddie Hillard, Hope Bellinger, Jasmine Judd, Otto Kemmer, and Kyle Towers for presenting to our local schools, government, and parents. Thank you to Evan Nation, Grace Bruncke, Emma Fleck, Bella Brownlee, and Blake Lindemann for researching and refining the content.